Music and Lyrics - PG-13

Watch Music and Lyrics Video Movie Review

Sweet, predictable date movie. Teens OK.

Watch Video Review

Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content. Studio: Warner Bros. Directed By: Marc Lawrence Cast: Drew Barrymore, Hugh Grant, Brad Garrett Running Time: 100 minutes Release Date: 02/14/2007 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that teen girls will be interested in seeing this cute Drew Barrymore vehicle. The good news is that you can probably let them: Overall, it offers very little to be concerned about. Alex and Sophie sleep together, but nothing salacious is shown on screen (they kiss a few times, but nothing graphic), and Alex gets into a fight with Sophie's ex. The language is mild, and there's not much drinking. The movie revolves around the question of whether it's better to do what others want or to stand up for what you believe in, which is a good one for teens to think about.

Families can talk about how people respond when they face obstacles to achieving their dreams. How can you get support and be true to yourself while still respecting your limits? Do you think Sophie and Alex handle their obstacles well? Families can also talk about the sexual images portrayed by a lot of young girls' favorite singers (as exemplified by Cora in the movie). Is Cora sexy? Is sexiness something that teen girls should be worried about? What messages do singers like Cora send to their fans?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Heather Boerner

Good date movies are like good first dates: They're charming, reasonably interesting, inoffensive, and smart, and you get a little smooching at the end. MUSIC AND LYRICS is all of those things at different points -- but unlike a lot of dates, there are no surprises. If it were a first date, you might agree to a second outing, but you probably wouldn't go much further than that.

Hugh Grant stars as Alex Fletcher, an aging former rock star who seems to be based on Andrew Ridgeley from Wham! -- that is, if Ridgely were a lounge-lizard Brit in tight pants and open-necked shirts. Alex is content to recycle his '80s pop hits at state fairs, high school reunions, and amusement parks.

But after even those venues start losing interest, he has only one last chance: Create a love song for Cora Corman (Haley Bennett), the stripper-dancing superstar who, according to the movie, is "bigger than Britney and Christina combined." The problem? Alex only writes music, not lyrics.

So after an ill-begotten pairing with a doom-and-gloom lyricist, Alex sets his sights on his temporary houseplant minder, Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), who spouts sweetly romantic lyrics with little urging. After briefly hesitating, Sophie agrees to help. But can they get the song done in time to get it to Cora? And will she like it?

As with all romantic comedies, the song Alex and Sophie write is less important than the -- pardon the cliché -- beautiful music they make together. And while there's a moment during a dinner with Sophie's sister, Rhonda (Kristen Johnston, who steals every scene), when Sophie and Alex banter flirtatiously and kiss the way that real people do when they're falling in love, for the most part, the two actors don't click. Blame the writers: Barrymore has little to do than play the ditzy free spirit and utter dreadful lines like, "That song was dinner!"

But overall, Music and Lyrics is pleasant as far as it goes and is sure to please diehard romantic comedy fans. Everyone else should stay away -- unless your date is making you go.

Fans should also check out The Wedding Singer, Four Weddings and a Funeral, About a Boy, and Never Been Kissed.

Rate It!

Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Cora dances sexily in clothes that expose part of her butt and mimics sex sounds at the beginning of a song. She also appears on stage in a tiny bathing suit. Alex and Sophie have sex (off-screen -- they only kiss on screen). Sophie walks around in a sheet.
Violence Alex, defending Sophie, gets into a shoving match with Sloan, who twists his arm backward and threatens to break it. He leaves with a bruised cheek.
Language Very little objectionable language -- just "bitch."
Message
	Social Behavior Cora's music and image are described as "Buddhism in a thong," representing so many hyper-sexualized pop princesses; Sophie can't stand up for herself against Sloan, and Alex gives up to easily, but the overall message is to be true to yourself.
	Commercialism Some products are mentioned/advertised, including the CW network, Google, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, Diet Coke, VH1, and Apple computers are used.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Alex talks about having done drugs, and Sophie and Alex drink wine and then champagne in different situations -- but they don't drink to excess.